Internal-combustion engine



4 4, 4423. 4,444,449 H.'A. DOUGLAS INTERNAL COMBIJSTION ENGINE Filed Dec. 30 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 EAMA-( H. A. DOUGLA$ INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Aug 7, 1923.

Filed Dec so 1919 l atented Aug. 7, 1923.

a "if; s

HARRY A. DOUGLAS, OF BRGNSON, lViICH-IGAN.

rnrnnnanconsusriou ENGINE. I

Application filed December 30, 1919. Serial No. 348,415.

17 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY A. DOUGLAS, citizen of the United States, residing at Bronson, in the county of Branch and State of Michigan, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Internal-Combustion Engines, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

My invention relates to internal combus tion, engines and has for its object the pro vision of improved valving mechanism .requiring limited movement of the valves which are operated constantly to open and close the ports controlled by the valves whereby back pressure is constantly relieved on return movement of the piston and gas is constantly admitted to the comp-ression space on intake movement of the piston. The valve structure that .COIItlQlStllG admission and exhaust ports is preferably unitary mechanism in order that the valves have a fixed relationto .each other which corresponds to the fixed relationship ofthe ports controlled thereby. This unitary valve mechanism is normally at rest but is given sudden movement when its function is to he performed in order that the alternative adjustments thereof may 'be constantly veil'ective: rather than gradually effective.

lvly invention is of particular service when employed in an internal combustion hydrocarbon engine that contains a multiplicity of units, each unit being a complete engine in itself with the exception that all of the units are in driving relation with an engine sh aft .commonthereto. l have embodied my invention in a multiple cylinder engine employing a single rotary va-lving tube common to the cylinders thereof, this tube being provided with a plurality of pairs of ports each pair pertaining to -an engine unit, the pairs of ports being distributed along the valving tube and cooperating with the engine cylinders to which they are individual properly to regulate the admission of live gas to and the exhaustion of spent gas from the-engine cylinders. lnorder that the exhaust ports of the tube may be kept out of communication with the admission ports in the tube a diaphragm .is employed ,which separates the two classes of ports. As I have beenable to embody my invention this diaphragm is straight throughout the ma- 3' or portion of its length, being deflected at its o-ppositerends to divide the tube into two separated chambers in vorder that free gas the valving mechanism or" my invention; Fig.

2 is a sectional view on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are, respectively, sectional views of a part of the structure respectively taken on lines 33, 4+4, 55 and .6-6 of Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is an end view of a part of the engine as it is illustrated in Fig. 1; and Fig. 8 is a view on a larger scale in side elevati'on, partially in section, of the engine.

showing the mechanism which is employed to secure quick action of the valving tube.

Like parts are indicated b-y similar charactors of reference throughout the different figures.

The engine illustrated includes four engine units respectively having the cylinders 1, 2, 3 and 4, these cylinders respectively having pistons 5, v6, 7 and 8 working therein. These pistons are suitably coupled with A the engine shaft 9 by means of pitmen 1 0 and cranks 11 operating within a crank case 12 common to allnof the engine units. The engine units are respectively provided with arcuate passages 13, 14, 1'5 and 16 which are out ofcommunication with each other, being so arranged as to be limited to the cylinders of the engines to which they are individual. The passages 13, 14, 15 and 16 have inner annular walls 17 and outer arouate walls 18 suitably joined by end walls to complete the housing of said passages. Eachpassage is shown as opening directly into the outer .or upper end of the .cylinder to which such passage is individual whereby fresh gas may he admitted to such cylinder or spent, gas exhausted therefrom ac.- cording to the adjustment of the valving mechanism that is to be described. Eachfarcuate wall portion 18 is surrounded by another arcuate wall portion 19 spaced apart therefrom whereby the space 20 is aiforded outside of the wall portions "18 within which cooling water he forced .to flow, this water being receivable through the pipe. 21 that is provided for each water cooling space 20, the water passing into the continuation 22 of the corresponding passage 20 and being discharged through the continuation 23 of the passage 20,. In this manner the passages 13 etc. are cooled as is also the valving mechanism that is to be descrlbed; The inner and annular walls 17 ofthe passages 13 are desirably co-axial and serve as bearings for the cylindrical rotary valving tube 24 in snug turning fit with said walls. The wall portions 17 and '18 pertaining to the diiferentengine units may be joined by cylindrical portions 25 cast integrally therewith and also affording additional bearings for the valving tube 24,

there being packing rings 26 for preventing the .passageof gas between-theengine units.

There are also end extensions 27 of the structure having the gas passages 13, etc., these end extensions also formlng bearings for the rotary valving tube 24, there being packing rings 28 in these extensions 27 for preventing the outward passage of gas from the end units of the engine. The fixed walls 17 of the gas passages 13, etc. are provided each with one port 29 for the admission of gas to or the exhaustion of gas from the corresponding engine unit. These ports 29 are distributed about the axis of the tube 24 9 so that; in the four cylinder engine illustrated for example, gas may be passed into one cylinder, compressed in another, exploded in another and exhausted from the remaining cylinder, all without the passage of gas from any one cylinder to another.

The valving mechanism for opening and closing the-ports 29 in orderly sequence includes the aforesaid valving tube 24 having formed therethrough a plurality of pairs of ports 31, 32,;[each pair being individual to a cylinder, the ports 31 beingthe exhaust 3 ports and the ports 32 being the admission passage 35.

29 and which. in conjunction with the wall of the tube 24, divide the bore of this tube into anexhaust passage 34 and an'intake passage '35. Carburetted air or other gas is admitted through the pipe 36 and the ports 37 provided in the tube 24 to the intake 9 The exhaust passage '34 is in communication with the outlet or exhaust r pipe 38.

{=The en glne illustrated is a four stroke per cycle engine. "That is the piston of eachen- ,gine unit operates to takein gas upon one stroke of the piston, the intake stroke, (see Fig. 3 and piston 5 of'Fig. 1) this same piston operates (511" a succeeding stroke, the compression stroke, to compress the gas taken in (see Fig. 6 and piston 8 in Fig. 1): when this same' piston operates on the'third stroke, the firing stroke, the'compressed gas is exploded, there being suitable ignition means in each cylinder'such as a spark plug 39 (see Fig. 4 and piston f Fig. 1) rand the piston operates on the fourth or scavengingv stroke'toexhaust the spent gas (see Fig. 5 and piston 7 of Fig. 1). lVhen one of the intakeports 32 is in register with one of the ports 29, the remaining intake ports 32 are closed by the corresponding walls 17 and at the same time one'of' the exhaust ports'31 is in register with another port 29, the remaining exhaust ports 31 being then closed. The valvin'g tube 24 turns once during the four strokesof the engine that occur in each cycle of operations, the tube turning step-by step a' quarter of a revolution per step. The quarter turns are preferably imparted to the valving tube very rapidly so that the admission and exhaust ports 32 and 31 will remain as long as possible in register with the ports 29 to which. the former ports are brought for respectively admitting and exhausting gas from some two ofthe cylinders and whereby as long a period as possible is afforded in some third cylinder for-compression and in some fourth cylinder for expansion.

The means employed for causing the periodic quarter turn movements of the valve tube 24 'may preferably include a ratchet wheel 40'iixed upon and co-axialwith the valving tube24, an inwardly springpressed holding dog 41 for engaging oneof the four equidistant teeth of the ratchet wheel to hold the valving tube in the positionto 3 which it has been "turned until it is to be turned again. There are four equidistant dog releasing 03111542, onelindividual to an engine cylinder, these cams being successively eng'ageab-le with a cam element 43 upon the dog and operating successively,

such operation occurring once upon each' half. turn of the engine shaft to release the dog 41 from engagement wfth'the ratchet 40, and a'ratchet turning spring-44 for moving the ratchet a quarter turn; each time the V dog 41 is releasechthe engaged cam 42 escaping engagement with the element 43 in time to permit the holding dog '41 to beinwardly ratchet tooth of the wheel-4O that succeeds I the ratchet teeth from which the" dog was previously removed by said cam. Sincedog '41 must be returned byits'spring in time to engage the next tooth which swingsquickly over to it ,'=each (32111142 must be sufiiciently gear wheel. 45 turning. upon "a bearing 46 which "affords axis ofrota'tion for this gear wheel thatisfcoinc'ident with the axisof the valving tube 24, said gear wheel "be- 1 ing rotatable with respect tofsaid valving spring pressed into position to'engage'the tube in order that it may be 'kept in con tinuous rotation ,WlllGtllQI" the valving tube is at rest orin motion. This gear wheel may bedriven by a chain 47 that engages its teeth and which, in turn, is driven by the gear wheel upon the shaft as indicatedat the lower leftfhand port on of vF 1. One end of the spring'ii is anchored to the ratchet wheel .40. and the other end is anchored to the gear wheel whereby the tension of this spring is increased .by the engine rotated gear during the period when the dog ll is holding the ratchet 40. The anchorages of the spring turn'with the partsthat carry them sothat the spring is always in readiness to "function irrespective of the positions to which the anchoragesv have been since it is desirable to have sharp movements or" a rotating body to extend over as short distances as possible, a characteristic which is particularly desirable in my valving mechanism since the ports may :be very quickly opened and closed. By this mecha- V n'sm back pressure is instantly relieved upon the opening of the exhaust ports and wide passageit'or the flow of gas through the admissionports' is instantly afforded by the opening or" these admission ports.

Other objects and advantages inthe engine of my design will 'be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. It is also obvious that many characteristics ofmy invention may be employed in a s ngle engine unit that is an engine having but a single cylinder with its piston.

Whilel have herein shown and particularly described the preferredembodiment of my invention I do not w sh to be limited to the precise details of construction shown as changes may readily be madewithout departing troni the spirit of my invention, but

having thus described my invention-I claim as new and d'esire to secureflby Letters Patent the following 1. An internal combustion engine including a cylinder; a piston operating in the cylinder; a valving tube having separate passages for the admission and exhaustion of engine operating fluid and formed with admission and exhaust ports respectively communicating with these passages; a wall having'a port in communication with the cylinder and alternately closing said ad mission and exhaust ports; a spring connected at one end with the valving tube and operating to turn it; an engine-rotated element with which the other end of the spring is connected; means adapted to hold the .VfilV'lng tube in successive positions against the force ofsaid spring; and intermittently operating engine operated means for periodically releasing said holding means.

2. An internal combustion engine including :a cylinder; a piston operating in the cylinder; a valving tube having separate passages for the admission and exhaustion of engine. operating fluid and formed with admission and vexhaust ports respectively communicating with these passages; a all having aport in communication with the cylinder and alternately closing said admiss'on and exhaust ports; a ratchet wheel secured to the valving tube; a spring connected atone end with the ratchet wheel and operating to turn it; an engine rota-ted element with which the other end'of the spring is connected; a dog adapted for holding .engagement with teeth of the ratchet wheel to hold the valving tube in successive positions against the force of sad spring; and intermittently operating engine operated means periodically releasing said holding dog to permit the spring to function.

3. An internal combustion engine includ ing a cylinder; a piston Operating in the cylinder; .a valving tube having separate passages for the admission and exhaustion of engine operating fluid and: formed with admission and exhaust ports --respecti.vely communicating with these passages; a wall having a port in communication with the cylinder and alternately closing said admission and-exhaust ports; a ratchet wheel secured to, the valving tube; a spring connected atone end with the ratchet wheel and operating to turn it; an engi-nerotated element with which theother end of-the spring is connected; a dog adapted forlloldihg engagement with :teeth of the ratchet wheel to hold the 'valving tube .in successive posit-ions against the force of said spring; and a cam operated by said engine :rotated element and periodically having releasing engagement withsaid dog .to permit the spring to function.

4. An internal combustion engine including a number of units each employing a cylinder; a pistonoperating in theicylinder; a valving tube having separate passages for the admission and exhaustion of engine operating fluid and formed with admission and exhaust ports for'each unit respectively communicating with these passages, the admission ports in the valving tube being aligned substantially parallel with the tube axis in the aforesaidadmission passage and the exhaust ports being aligned substantially parallel with the tube axis in the exhaust passage; a wall having ports. one for each engine unit, in communication with the cylinder of such unit and alternately closing those of said admission and exhaust ports pertaining to such unit the ports in said wall being, angularly displacedwith respect .to each other; and mechanism for intermittently turning said valving tube parts of a revolution with respect to said wall.

5. An internal combustion engine includ,

' a valving' tube having separate passagesfor the admission and exhaustion of engine operatlng fluid and formed with admission and exhaust ports for each unit respectively communicating with these passages, the admission ports in the valvlng tube being aligned substantially parallel with the tube axis in the aforesaid admission passage and the exhaust ports being aligned substan- V tially parallel with the tube axis in'the exhaust passage; a wall having ports, one for each engine unit, in communication with the cylinder of such unit andalternately closing those of said admission and exhaust ports pertaining to such unit, the ports in saidwall' being angularly displacedwith respect to each other; a spring connected at one end with the valving tube and operating to turn it; an-engine rotated'element with whichthe other end of the spring is connected; means adapted to hold the valving tube in successive positions against the force of said spring; 'and intermittently operating engine operatedme ans periodically releasing said holding means.

6'. An internal combustion engine includ ing a number' of units each employing a cylinder ;"a piston operating in the cylinder; a 'valving tube havingseparate passages for the admission and exhaustion of engine operating fluid and formed with admission and exhaust ports for each unit respectively communicating with these passages,-the admission ports in-the valving tube being aligned substantially parallel with the tube axis in the aforesaid admission-passage and the; exhaust ports being' 'alig ned substantially parallel with the tube axis in the exhaust passage; a wall having ports, one for each engineunitQ'in communication with the cyli'nderof' such unit and alternately closing those ofsaid admission and exhaust ports pertaining to such unit, the ports in said wall beingvangularly displaced with I respectito each other; a ratchet wheel secured to the 'valving tube; a spring connected atone end with'the ratchet Wheel and operatingto turn it; an engine rotated element with which the other endsof'the; spring is connected; a dog adapted for holding'engagement with teeth of the ratchet wheel to hold the valving tube in successive positions against theiforce ofsaid spring;

in a number of units each em 10 in a' cylinder; a piston operating in the cylinder; a valving tube having separate passages for the admission andexhaustion of engine operating fluid and formed with admission and exhaust portsfor each unit respectively communicating with these passages the admission ports in the valving tube being aligned substantially parallel with the tube,

axis in the aforesaid admission passage and the exhaust ports being aligned substantially parallel with the tube axis in the exhaust passage; a wall having ports, one for each engine unit in communication with the so I cylinder of such unit and alternately 'Vclosing those of said admission and exhaust ports pertaining to such unit, the portsin said wall being angularly displaced with respect to each other; a ratchet-wheel secured to the valving tube; a spring connected at one end with the ratchet wheel and operating to turn it; an engine rotated element with which the other end of the spring is connected ;'a dog adapted for holding engagement with teeth of the ratchet wheel to hold the valving tube insuccessive positions against the force of said springand a cam operated by said engine rotated element and periodically. having releasing engagement with said dog to spring to function.

permit the In witness whereof; I hereunto subscribe" y' this 3 h ay of'Dec; A, 1),, 191'9 1 RY A Doue As, 

